Gypsy Moth Infestation! Please Check your trees!!

Rhonda loje · Post by **Rhonda loje** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 2:55 pm

Hi Everyone,

Last year one of our neighbors had gypsy moths in their oak tree. They contacted the City of Lakewood. And they came and spayed the tree. The owners believe that the City of Lakewood sprayed too late because as of today, my whole street is infested with gypsy moth caterpillars.

One reason for my concern is that the gypsy moths can kill a tree in just 2 years. They can take all the leaves off of your trees before you know it. And then when they are done with your trees they will go for your bushes.

My two front oak tree are infested. I have photographed the caterpillars for you to examine your trees. The caterpillars live in the ground all day and come out at night and climb up your tree and eat your leaves. On a cloudy day like this morning they will on the tree trunks and even on the side walk.

Look for leaves that been chewed on under your tree. Look for little brown dots on your sidewalk that you usually see in the fall not the summer (see my photo blog). We believe that this is the Caterpillar feces.

I need your help! We have contacted the City of Lakewood and our Council representatives. We really need a plan to attack this problem while it is in the Caterpillar stage. It will become worse if it is allowed to become a moth and have eggs. If you don't have it now you will have!!

There is a State program that will help us..but we need to have a certain percentage of the city infested. Please check your trees. If you have any indication that you have infested trees, please respond on this website so we can have the proper City of Lakewood department inspect your trees and maybe our City officials will nip this infestation in the bud.

One of our Moses Cleveland trees is now infested. This does not bode well for the City of Trees. We need to do something now. Please look at your tree!

For more information see my blog:http://lakewoodobserver.com/members/main.php?which=preview_pg&pg_id=754

Rhonda Loje

Kate McCarthy · Post by **Kate McCarthy** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 7:26 pm

Rhonda,

I can't access your pictures. Can you repost?

I think this needs wide circulation and feel Lakewood needs to be aggressive about tree preservation. Thanks for the warning.

Rhonda loje · Post by **Rhonda loje** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 8:40 pm

Kate,
Thank you for your interest. I think it is important too! If we don't do something soon...we may lose all of our trees.

Try this website: http://lakewoodobserver.com/photoblogs/ ... ypsy-moths

Thanks,
Rhonda

Rhonda loje · Post by **Rhonda loje** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 10:53 am

Here is a better picture taken by Bill Davis:

http://lakewoodobserver.com/photoblogs/ ... sy-moths/5

Rhonda loje · Post by **Rhonda loje** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 11:02 am

Hi Everyone,
Just to keep you informed on our progress about the Gypsy Moth Situation.

Our neighborhood has called and my husband has made a trip to City Hall to talk to Mr. Madison (in charge of streets and foresty) and Mr. Beno ( who is charge of Public Works) we have had no response from the city.

As of noon today...I have call again to both parties and have left a message for the first time with the Mayor.

I will keep you all posted on the responses and the response time from the City of Lakewood.

In the meantime, check your trees!

And call your Council person: Ed Fitzgerald, Nicki Antonio and Kevin Bulter
maybe with their help we can some response from the City.

Rhonda Loje